Shearers and Wool Classers
- Classification
- Unit
- Major group
- Technicians and Trades Workers
Classification
- Major group
- 3Technicians and Trades Workers
- Sub-major group
- 36Skilled Animal, Agricultural and Horticultural Workers
Description
Shearers and Wool Classers remove and classify wool and hair from sheep, goats, alpacas and other animals.
Skill level
Australia
AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)
New Zealand
NZQF Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) The occupation Wool Classer has a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. In Australia: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) In New Zealand: NZQF Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2) At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
Tasks
Tasks include
- selecting and preparing shearing equipment
- catching and positioning animals for shearing
- shearing and removing wool and hair from animals
- identifying contaminated fibre and injured, infected and diseased animals
- treating skin cuts
- returning shorn animals to let-out pens for counting and checking
- inspecting fleece to determine its type according to physical characteristics (staple length and strength, fibre diameter, colour)
- classing wool into lines to meet processors’ requirements and to optimise growers’ returns
- managing wool handling teams
- instructing wool handlers and supervising the picking up, skirting, rolling and pressing of fleeces
- may service, maintain and repair shearing equipment
- may shear stud animals with hand shears or special combs